Automatic type-writer operator.



I= L- R. ROBERTS.

MH'DMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR Armcmou men JUNE 1. mt.

Patenwd Jan. 8, 1918.

B SHEETS-SHEET 1.

zmg ATTORN L. n. mums. AUTUMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED LUKE 7. 19"- Patented Jan. 8,1918.

i SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES 1 fl w L. no stms. AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR. I APPLICATION FILED Jul: 1. I116.- l

1,252,845. Patented Jan. 8,1918. 1

- SHEETS-MEET 3- Ms I & r

,lwlwl L. n. noaEms.

AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED mu: 1. $816- u 1,252,845. Patented Jan. 8,1918.

i MEETS- SHEET 4- I A A INVEJNTOW WITNESSES L. 'R. ROBERTS. 1

AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR.

Patented Jan. 8,1918.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5 APPLICATION FILED lUNE I. TSLG.

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/MZM' Wad/W '1 ff A ,7 gag I BY v T 1 W ATTORN A LLR.ROBEn s AUTOMATIC TYPE WRITER OPERATOR. APPLICATION FILED THE L l9l6.

Patented Jams, 191s.

users-sun 5.

Z60 XINVENTOB ATTOE EY.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

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This invention relates to an improvement in typewriter operators and more especially to the class in which all of the functions of the typewriter can be taken care of automatically, whereby not only one but a dozen machines can be looked after by a single operative, it being merelynecessary that the blank paper be supplied thereto in stacks and the t pewritten matter removed as accumulate This application. contains matter divided out of'my application Serial No. 806,408 filed December 13, 1913.

Anpbject of this invention is to produce a machine which will be simple in construction, compact in its arrangement, and with the operating parts secluded as much as possible and retired from an exposed position.

The machine is of the general type in which the parts are operated b pneumatic actuators, which are controlle by one or more master members passin boards. In this case two trac er boards are shown, one for writing the body of the matter, such as a letter, and the other for writ ing inserts, such as a new name and address for each letter. Of course, the inserted mater'may also be placed, if desired, even in the midst of the letter, under the. control from the second trackerboard. The master members are shown of the perforated type,

so that when they pass by their tracker boards, they bring perforations successively into register with"aperturesjin the-tracker boards in order to admit air to individua, controllers, each of which governs the action of a pneumatic actuator. This'actuator is connected"by mechanical means to the articular part ofthe typewriterwhich it 1s to operate. By this means a successive series of actions of the typewriter may be produced according to any predetermined plan which is governed by the perforations in the master member.

Asstated above, in the resent case one master member controls t efbody of the OR RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN OR TYPEWRITER GOHPAN Y, 0]! NEW YORK, N. Y., CORPORATION lpeomcatlon'ot Letters Patent.-

Applioatlon fled June 7, 1818. ierlal No. 108,114.

have invented certain pneumo-mechanical mechanism, which over tracker me mianwoon or DELAWARE.

Patented Jan. 8,1918.

written matter and the other master member controls the inserts. It is therefore essential to from one master member to the other. This is controlled by special perforations in each master member, so that they bring into action at proper times, shifting mechanism which enables first one master member to be 1n ascendancy and'then the other. In the present instance, where one master member controls the bodly of the writing, it is desirable to make A; e same of an endless sheet, so that it can repeat over and over again by passing continually over the tracker board with interruptions mainly for the purpose of allowing the other master member to control the operation of the machine. The other master member in this case is, in fact, a series of individual master members shown in the form of a series of cards perforated to correspond to different inserts, which, in the present case, are difierent names and addresses.

shift the control of the operator The paper to be written on is supplied to i the machine in packs and picked u sheet by sheet at the proper time under the control of one of the master members,

drops the sheets one by one to the platen on the typewriter as the carriage reaches the end of itsreturn movement. The sheet so dropped is fed beyond the heading thereof, to a pointto receive the first line of typewriting, while the previous sheet, which has been completely Written on, is fed out and received in a suitable receptacle.

locked in its closed condition so as to con-' tinuously drive the platen any predetermined amount. At the same time that the clutch is closed, a valve is connected to be bya- B0. Among the important-improvements in' traversed from the driving mechanism of the platen until it comesinto engagement with an adjustable stop, whereby it is opened. The opening of the valve excites a pneumatic actuator, which actuator releases the locking means for the clutch thereby interrupting the drive to the platen, and also disconects the valve from the traversing means therefor, so that it can be returned I) a spring to its normal position. The a justment of the stop determines the extent of travel of the valve, andhence, the extent of rotation of the platen, which is pro- Eortionate thereto, whereby the platen may e rotated any desired number of line spaces.

The laten may also be rotated in l nespace irection by the carriage-returning mechanism.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a eneral view in side eleva tion of the machine as a whole, with parts omitted for the sake .of simplicity, and showing, in dotted lines .the path of travel of a completely typewritten sheet in leaving the platen.

Fig. 2 is a skeleton view in side elevation, showing the means for silencing the feed for both tracker boards when the platen is being rotated.

F ig. 3 is a perspective view showing part of the platen rotating means.

F i 4 is a skeleton perspective view, showlng the mechanism for controlling the termination of the extent of drive of the laten in bringing a new sheet to the writing point.

i 5 is a horizontal view'in section, on the hue 5-5 of Fig. 1, of the lower part of the machine, showing the motor drive and some of the connections to the lower tracker board.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the master-card feeding and substituting mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail section through one of the pneumatic actuators and the control therefor. 1

Fig. 8 is adetail view of the platen-rotating and sheebfeeding drive.

Fig. 9 is a rear view in elevation of the platen-rotating mechanism which is used when the sheet is first fed to the platen to bring the'initial line of printing to the printing point, that is, the feeding mechanism which rotates the platen in passing the heading 'on' the sheet to be-typewritten and in removing a written sheet from the platen.

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective iew of the mechanism for controlling the extent of feed or rotation of the platen.

Fig. 11 is a skeleton perspective view showing the two trackers and the branch connections of the tubing thereto, whereby either tracker may control much of the actuatin mechanism, such as the actuators for the eye, which must be commonly operated under the control ofboth the trackers.

An operator 1 actuates all of the parts of a typewriter 2 essential to a complete typewritm action.

Considering briefly the parts of the typewriter, whic is shown in the present instance to be an Underwood although any other machine might be used, character keys 3 (Fig. 1) operate levers 4 to. rock bell cranks 5, so as to swing type-bars 6 u rearwardly against the front side of a piziten 7 mounted to rotate on a carriage 8, which travels on ways on the frame of the typewriter, under the control of an escapement mechanism indicated in general at 9. This escapement mechanism includes a rack bar 10, pivotally mounted on the frame of the carriage 8, so as to swing into and out of engagement with a pinion llconnected to rotate with an escapement wheel 12, which is controlled by a pair of dogs 13 actuated by a universal frame 14, which is operated at the actuation of any of the keys, by heels 15 provided on all of the type-bars. The universal frame 14 is mounted for movement on a swinging frame 16. The frame 16 may be operated also by a space key 17, which forms also a part of the typewriting mechanism, and depresses a lever 18 to thrust up an arm 19 provided on the shift frame 16. The platen 7 has the usual linespace wheel which is engaged by the usual line-space mechanism including the linespace lever 21, which may be operated by hand or automatically in the manner to be described.

Having thus briefly described the more essential parts of the typewriter, a more elaborate and detailed description of the operator therefor may be taken u The automatic operator for the typewriter has its motive source in an electric motor 22 (Fig. 1), which is provided with a shaft 23 having a worm 24 thereon meshing with a worm wheel 25 to drive the same, so as to drive a shaft 26 on which the worm. wheel 25 issecured. The shaft 26 is provided with a pair of eccentrics 27 and 28 arranged in opposite phases on the shaft 26, so'as to drive, by means of straps and eccentric rods 29, the two sections 30 and 31 of a bellows vacuum pump. 'One section will be filling while the other is exhausting, so that a common vacuum chamber 32 therefor will be always under a section so long as the motor 22 is driving. The suction or vacuum chamber 32 has connected thereto, a main pipe 33, which, by virtue of a feeder 34; various laterals 35, is arranged to connect with the source of suction, the several pneumatic actuators for the difi'erent 'arts of the hereinafter mentioned vacuum embers AB-of the mechanism.

. Considering specifically the operation of one of these pneumatic actuators, which will serve for all as theyact substantially alike,

,it will be seen by reference tov Fig. 7 that each actuator consists of a motor 36 in the form of a collapsible bellows, and a con- 10 troller 37, which is connected to the motor by adpipe'38. Each controller 37 is 'confinecte a pair of trackers or tracker boards 40 (Fig. 1 "1) and 41 (Fig. 6), accordin by tubing 39 to either one or both of to whether the particular actuator to whic the controllcr corresponds is to be controlled in its action by one or both of the trackers and their master members. That is to say, one of the trackers, take, for example, the tracker 40, is

used to control the Writing of the main portion orbody of the matter to be typewritten,

and the other, such as the tracker 41, is used to control the writing of the inserts, such as the dili'erent names and addresses placed at the top of the several' letters. I

In the case of the tracker board 40, the

mastermember which controls the same, is shown in the form ofan endless perforated sheet 42 (Fig. 1), which may be'passed repeatedly in front of the tracker 40, as the matter which it controls, such as the body of --the letter, is to be repeated over and over again in each new sheet of typewritinlg. In the case of the upper tracker 41, which controls the writing'of the inserts, theamaster member may, in fact, be several different master members shown in the form of individual perforated cards 43, whlch. are successively brought into cooperation with the tracker 4]. to successively control the action thereof. a i i It is tobe understood at this point that the control of the action of the operator 1 is alternately given over entirely first to one tracker board and then to the other. That is to say, the upper tracker 41 will first c'on-' trol the writin of the address, then the control will be s ift'ed to the lower tracker, whenthe body of the letter will be written;

after which, when a new sheet is placed on the typewriter, the control will again be shifted back to the upper tracker to write a new name and address forthe new sheet, and so on. i

, Going back at this point to the particular structure of each actuator and its controller, when one of the master members brings an opening therein into register with an aper ture in its tracker board, the particular controller connected thereto by the tubing 39 will have air admitted in a chamber 44.

This chamber is normally under a negative or sub-atmospheric pressure, as it is connected with the source of vacuum. This connection is obtained by having each of the "tubes" or tubing's 39. extend through a com- 'mon suction or bleed chamber 45 (Fig. 1),

connected by a lateral with the feeder 34,

:the portion of each tube within said bieed chamber 45 being provided with a bleed opening 46 of suflicient size to gradually exhaust the air from the corresponding chamber 44 in the accordant controller 37,

but not fast enought'o absorbthe air admitted through the alined apertures in the master sheet and the tracker in operation. It is'thus evident'that when air is admitted to the chamber44 of any particular controller, it will fill the chamber 44 of the controller, raising adiaphragm 46.which forms the top of the chamber, and carrying with this d1aphragm, a valve rod 47, which extends upwardly through an intermediate vacuum chamber 48 into an equalizing chamy ber 49. The chamber 48. is connccted, as mentioned above, to thesuction pump by the main pipe 33 and the feeder 34 and the laterals 35. This chamber 48 ma be common, if desired, to a bank of contro lers 37-or individualto each controller.

When the pressure of air admitted to the chamber 44 raises the diaphragm 46 and the valve rod 47 against the weight of the parts and the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber 48, it also raises a valve 50 secured to the valve rod 47. This valve 50 is duplex and first opens a passage 51, forming. a

means of communication between the vacuum chamber 48 and the equalizing chamber 49, and then closes a passage between the equalizing chamber 49 and the outside at mosphere. That is to say, thevalve 50 is double-ended and operates to" alternately close and open thelp'assa cs 51 and 52. When the valve 50 is raise it connects the equalizing chamber 49 with. the vacuum chamber 48. so that air is withdrawn from the equalizing chamber, and this will continue until the va1ve50 closes the passage 52, when the air will not only be sucked out of the, equalizing chamber 49, but, through the connecting pipe 38, will alsobe sucked out of the pneumatic bellows motor 36 forming the active part of the actuator.

'When the air is thus withdrawn from the interior 01' an actuator, the outside atmospheric pressure causes the sameto collapse, so that any part connected to the moving side 53 thereof will be operated.

When the opening in the master sheet passes out of register with the aperture in the tracker board which causes this action, the

air will be cut oil from the chamber 44,so that the alr 11211131111115 therein will be sucked out through the blee opening 46' until the presbalanced, causingthe weight of the parts to drop the valve 50 to a position. closing the passage 51 and opening the passage 52. The

bellows motor 36 being cut oil from the sucsure "onboth sldes of the diaphragm 46 is y tion and opened up to atmospheric pressure, will expand and return to its normal condition with the aid of a spreading spring, not shown.

Inthe case of the actuators which operate the various keys of the typewriter, each one is provided with an arm 54 Fi 1, 4 and 6), which is connected b a in 55 to one arm of a bell crank'56. he other arm 57 of each bell crank 56 is provided with a pin 58, which overlies a hook 59 one link 60 pivoted to the corresponding key of the t pewriting mechanism. T hat is to say, each ey is provided with a link 60 having hook 59 under- 5 lying one of the pins ,58 on one of'the bell cranks 56. The arms 57 of the bell cranks are of various lengths and arranged" in" echelon, so as to avoid one another and cooperate with their corresponding links 60.

Having considered how the pneumatic actuator is constructed and acts, we may now go on to the description of the feeding mechanism for the master members, which control the action of all of the actuators, and 5 how the shift is made from control by one to control by the other at the proper times.

The master sheet 42, which controlsthe writing of the main part or body of the typewritten matter, such as the body of the let- 3 ter, passes over a supporting feeding roller 61 (Fig. 5) and is warped across the face of the tracker by means of an idle roller 62 (Fig. 1). The supporting roller 61 is provided with a gear 63, whic may be driven at times by a gear 64 secured on a shaft 65, on which is also secured a roller 66. When the master sheet 42 and its tracker 40 are in control the feeding roller 66 is dropped down to bind the master sheet 42 between its surface and the surface of the supporting roller 61. Under these conditions, the gear 64 will also mesh with the gear 63, so as to drive the same; hence-the master sheet will be fed in the direction of the arrow-shown in Fig. 1 past the tracker 40, bringin the several perforations therein successive y into register with corresponding apertures in the tracker 40. v

To drive the shaft and thus the rollers 61 and 66, there is provided on the shaft 65, a gear 67 (Figs. 1 and 2), which meshes with a pinion 68 (Fig. 1) secured to a shaft 69 carrying a pulley 70, which is driven by an endless belt 71 from a pulley 72. The pulley. 72 is secured toa shaft 73 on which is also secured a friction disk 74 driven by a friction roller 75 bearing against one surface on the disk 74. The friction roller 75 is secured to a shaft 76 driven by a pair of meshin bevel gears 77 and 78, from the cross sha t 26, which, as mentioned above, is driven from the motor 22. j

'The feeding mechanism for the upper master member is also driven from the shaft .5 73. For this purpose, there is provided on action. A similarly sectione roller 89 and the feedin this shaft, a second pulley 79 (Fi 1) which is connected, b means of an end ess belt 80,

shaft 85. lso secured on the shaft 85, there is rovided a pinion 86, which when lowered ig. 6) is arran d to drive a inion 87 secured on a sha t 88.. The sha 88 has secured thereon a sectional feeding roller 75 89, the sections of which extend through openings in a guide 90 to engage the upper master card 43 which hap ens to .be in feeding roller 91 (Fig. 6) passes through 0 enings in the guide 90 an co6perates wit the opposite side of the master card 43 in action, so that when the shaft 88 is being driven, the card will be fed down by the co6peration of both the feeding rollers 89 and 91, they being 35 connected to rotate in unison by pinions 92 and 93, secured, respectively, to the feeding roller 91. A bearing roller 94 corrugate so as to avoid obstructing the openings in the master card 43, holds the master card against the tracker 41, in order to obtain an airtight fit therebetween. This bearing roller is floatingly supported by a frame 95 (Fi 6). plvotally mounted at 96, and engaged y a spring 97 which holds the bearing roller 94 to its work. As noted above, however, both master members, that is, the master card and the master sheet, are not in control at the same time. To regulate this change in control, the drive is completed to the feeding mechanism for one master member and interrupted to the feeding mechanism for the other master member, and vice versa. To accomplish this, the shaft 65 for the master sheet 42 is floatin ly mounted by a'frame including arms 97 (Pigs. 1 and 4) pivotally supported on the shaft 69, so as to swing relatively thereto without disturbing the driving connection to the shaft 69. Likewise, the shaft 85 (Figs. 110 1 and 6) forthe master sheet 43 is fioatingly mounted by means of a frame including one or more arms 98 pivoted'on the shaft 82, so as to swing relatively thereto without interrupting the connection between the gears 83 and 84. One of the arms 97 is provided with a camming socket 99, in'which may rest a camming roller 100 secured to the lower end of a shi ting lever 101. This shifting lever is pivoted, intermediate its ends, as at 102, and is provided at its upper end with a bearing-roller103 cotipera'ting with a cam socket 104 in one of the upper arms 98.

It will be seen that when the lever 101 ,is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, tlie 125 roller-bearing end of the arm 97 will be lowered, so as to permit theroller 66 to drive the master sheet 42, and also permit it to drive the supporting roller 61 through engagemem of the gear 64 with the gear 63. 130

' 86 out of mesh with the gear 87, so that the drive to the feeding rollers 89, 91,;is inters rupted. On the other hand, when the lever 101 is shifted to the Fig.6 position, the master card 43 will be in control as the gear 86 is dropped into meshwith the gear 87, com+ pleting the drive to the feeding rollers 89,

' 91 while the shaft 65 and the roller 66 are raised, interrupting the drive between the gear 64 and the gear 63. p C In order to manipulate the shlftmg lever 101, a pair of pneumatic actuators: 105

and 106' are provided which are adapted to' shift the lever 101 in opposite directions.

The actuator 105fwhich controls thebring mg into play of the feeding mechanism for the master sheet 42, is controlled by a perforation in the particular master card 43 'in action; while the actuator, 106, which controls the bringing into play of the feeding mechanism for the master card 43 is controlled by a perforation in the master sheet 42. In other words, one master mem ber controls the bringing into play of the other master member. As the actuators 105 and 106 are of the type described above and shown in'Fig. 7, it is not necessary to redescribe them atpthis point. Suflicient to say that when the actuator 105 is brought into control by an aperture in the master 85 card 43, it will assume the Fig.1 position, whereby a link 107 will. by virtue of a hook or shoulder 108 (Fig. 6) thereon, draw the lever 101 to the Fig. 1- position, by engagement with a rod or lug 109 on the lever 101, 40 thelatter being yieldingly held in. this position byfa spring detent 101, Fig. 1.

Now, when the master sheet has finished its period of control, having completely written the body of a letter,'after a 0 new work-sheet has been supplied tothe typewriter. thenaa perforation in the said I master sheet42 comes into register with a corresponding aperture in its tracker 40, so -as to cause the pneumatic actuator 106 to. collapse its bellows motor. This will bring about a condition in the actuator 106, where- \by a thrust link 110 will be plunged forwardly, first causing a cam nose 111 thereon toengage a pin 112 on the link 107, disen- 56 gaging the shoulder 108 from the lug 109, so as to free the lever 101 from the actuator 105 and its link 107. A furthermovement of the y thrust link 1110 causes a shoulder 113 thereon to engage the lug 109 and force the lever 101 60' from the Fig. 1 position to its Fig. 6 position, whereby the cam roller 103 will drop into the socket 104, permittingsthe arm 98 to lower the ear 86 into mesh with the gear 87, there y completing ,the drive to esthe feeding rollers 89, 91, so as to feed the master card 43 into positionpast its tracker. 41. i At the same time, thelower roller 100 and the lever 101 rock, by a camming action, the arm 97,'so as towithdraw the gear 64 i from its meshing position with the gear 63," 6 thereby interrupting the drive to the master sheet 42. When the master card thus started into control has been fed to theend of its capacity for control, and has finished writ 'ing aname and address, a perforation 75 therein comes into register with a corresponding aperture in its tracker 41, causing the actuator 105 to come intoaction. When this takes place, the actuator pulls the link 107 from the Fig? 6 position to a position so where the pin 112 engages the end ofthe nose 111, *cammingthe latter upward, so as to disengage the shoulder 113 from the lug 109. A further movement of the link 107 under the pull of the actuatori105, causes 5 the shoulder 108 on this linkv to disengage thelug'109 and shift the lever101. I 1

It is advisable at times to throw out the feeding mechanisms for both the master a card and the master sheet,as when it is nee- 9o essary to stop the machine, or when the platen is rotated. In the last case, it would be inadvisable to; have keys struck when the work-sheet .is in motion. T o accomplish this manually, as in stopping the operation of the machine, there 'is provided a throw-out button114 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4), which, when the machine is in action, has a groove 115 in register with a shifting barf116 pivoted at 117; When, however, it is desired to disconnect the drives for both the '-feeding mechanisms, the manual button is rotated from theFig. 1- a position to shift the bar 116 about itspivot 117 to draw on a link 118, so as to rock a bell crank 119. This bell crank is provided with an arm 120, having an ofl'set 121'(Fig. 4), whichunderlies the arm 97 supporting the shaft 65 and the roller 66. The arm of the bell'crank 119 is also connected b a 1ink122, to anarm 123 also having an othset V e underlying the shifting frame or armk 98, which shifts the gear 86 of the driving mechanism for the master card-feeding mechanism. 5 e v a It will thus be seen that both the arms 97 and 98 will be swung with their gearing-- bearing end raised, so as to simultaneously interrupt the drive to both the feeding mechanisms. Thatis to saw, when the but- 120 ton 114 isrotated it simultaneously inter ,rupts the drive for both master members, so that the machine is silenced. This action is also eflected, as will be explainedpresently, when the carria e is returning to be gin a new lineand w en the platen is be ing rotated to either position the "new work-Q I sheet on the platen or to discharge mo pleted letter from the platen.

After one master cardhas completed its gearing to the platen.

' loosely removed from the 9), which is driven work and shifted the control to the master sheet, then it must be removed from an effective position and a fresh carddput in its lace. so that a new name and a dress can be written on the next work-sheet fed to the platen, this is accomplished in a manner described in my herein mentioned atent.

hile writing any matter wit the typewriter, it is essential to return the typewriter laten at the.

carria e and to line-space the end of each line so as to enab e the beginning of a new line. These features of this invention are. described in my. herem mentioned patent.

fter a work-sheet has been completely written, as with the full name and address and body of the sheet must be and a fresh one put on .in place thereof To eject the finished sheet from the platen, the platen could be rotated by repeated operations of the linespace leverby the carriage-return, mechanism. However,-special means for rotating the platen is also provided which can accomplish the same purpose somewhat more quickly. For this purpose, the platen axle 215 extends beyond the frame of the carriage where it is provided with a sprocket 216 (Fig. 3) driven by a sprocket chain 217, which in turn is driven by a sprocket 218 on a shaft 219. The shaft'219 is provided with a gear 220 meshing with a barrel pinion 221 on a shaft 222, which is mounted to rotate on a fixed portion of the frame. The shaft 219 is mounted on the carriage so that'it travels therewith and causes its gear 220 to mesh with the barrel pinion 221 when the carriage is at the end of its return movement. I The barrel pinion is of considerable length so as to allow for the drive of the platen therefrom at a variety of positions of the carriage 8.

To drive the barrel pinion 221, the shaft 222 is provided with a bevel gear 223 by a bevel gear 224 on a shaft 225. This shaft 225 also has a bevel gear 226 driven by a bevel gear 227 loosely mounted'on a shaft 228. however, is normally connected in driven relation with the'shaft 228 by a one-way clutch element 229 thereon meshing witha corresponding clutch element 230 splined on the shaft 228 (Fig. 8 A spring 231 nor- The bevel gear 227,

of the shaft 228 in'the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8. will clutch element 229 and thus to the bevel gear If, however, the shaft 228 rotates in'a counter-direction, the. clutch element 230 will past the clutch element 229, without disturbing the gear 227 and the train of The shaft 228 is norsilent but has a sprocket wheel 232 mounted thereon, by means of which mally 'wheel 232, th wheel 232, a

. pins on a rotating.

(Fig. i

' which is also provided with over a latch 247 on one face be transmitted to the it may be driven. driven by a chain-and sprocket connect on 233 .(Fig. 1), from the constantly-rotating motor 22 (Fig. 5). To drive the shaft 228 from the sprocket ere is provided clutch element 234, into engagement with which may be shifted a clutch element 235 splined on the shaft 228 (Fi s. 4 and 9.) The clutch element 235 is, rovided with anannular groove, into whic clutch-shifter 236, which normally held by a spring 237, in a position This sprocket wheel is on the sprocket 1 extend 5 latter is corresponding to the'disengagement of the clutch element 235 with respect to the clutch element 234. The shifter 236, however, is provided with a follower roller238, engaged y a cam 239 on a lever 240 pivoted at 241.

When it is necessary to rotate the as in removing a register with an aperture in the tracker and excites to action a pneumaticaactuator 242, so that the bellows motor thereof collapses tothrust forwardly a plunger 243. This plunp e 1 completed sheet therefrom a perforation in the master sheet comes into' ger engages in a crotch-244 provided on the a lever 240 and has ashoulder 245 toengage a {part, forming with the lever 240 the crotch, so as to shift the lever 240 and cause the cam 239 to manipulate the shifter 236 against the tension of the spring 237 in order to bring about an engagement of'the clutch element 235 with the clutch element 234, thereby connecting the shaft 228 in driven relation with the sprocket wheel 232 which is constantly platen is rotating, itis essential to stop the movement of the master member in control, so the bar 116 is actuated to interrupt" the drive to both master-member feeding mechanisms in the manner described above. For this purpose, the shifter 240, when actuated, also pulls on a link 250- to swing an arm- 251 securedto While the an arm 253 having an extension 254 engaging'this bar 116, to rock the same to its disconnecting position shown in Fig. 2.

a rock shaft 252, 1

To insure the silencing of said mastermember until said completed sheet has been removed from the platen, provided with a notch 246 whic catches of the actuator 242, so that the bellows motor of the actuator is held in its collapsed position until the plunger 243 is raised out of engagement with the latch 247. This latter movement is permissible, inasmuch as the plunger 243 is pivotally mounted at 248 on a lug 249 carried by the moving side of the bellow's'motor of the actuator 242. By this arrangement, the

clutch element 235 is held in engagement with the clutch element 234, so long as the plunger 2431s in locking engagement with the plun er 243 is/ above. mounted on avcarriage 262, which slldes on aaaaaw' i i the latch 247. Under these conditions, the

platen will be rotated through the train of gearing continuously, until the plunger 243 I 1s raised, permitting theunclutching of the continuously-rotating sprocket 232 from the shaft 228. To accomplish this disconnection automatically, use is made of the actuator 203. For this purpose, a bra ch 255 (Fig. 43)

of'a tubing 202 which leads to the control of an actuator 203. isconnected to a valve 256,; which is normally closed but openable when the desired extent of rotation of the platen 1 has been accomplished. When this valve is opened. it admits air in the usual way to the controller of the actuator203, so that the, bellows motor collapses and shoots forwardly a thrust link 204, which, carries a pin 257, arranged to engage one arm258- (Figs. 1 and 4) of a bell crank lever,.having a second arm 259 provided with a pin 260 underlying the plunger 243.

It will thus be seen that when the valve 256 is opened, it will raisethe plunger243,

removing the notch 246 out of engagement with the latch 247, and removing the shoulder. 245 out ofengagement-with the crotch 24-1, permittingthe shifter 236 to return under the propulsion of the spring 237. to its a disconnecting position, so that the shaft 228 will once more be silent, while the sprocket wheel 232 rotates idly. To open the valve 256, it is given a traveling, movement coincident with the rotary movement of the platen and corresponding in extent to the extent of rotation of the platen desired.

When the valve, 256 completes its desired travel, it comes into engagement with a stop 261, which opens the valve and causes an operation of the actuator 203 as mentioned To traverse the valve 256, it 1s ways or guide rods 263 of a rocking frame 264.

When the clutch element 235 is connected up to theclutch element 234 to drivethe shaft 228. a pin 265 on the lever 240 engages an arm 266 onthe rocking frame 264 to swing the same about. its pivot against the tension of a spring 266 and thereby bring a tooth or segment of a nut 267 (Fig. into engagementwith a bodily stationary but rotating screw 268 secured to the shaft 228 8).. l u: I

It will thus be seen that so long as the shaft 228 is rotated to drivegthe platen, the screw 268 will be rotating to feed the carriage. 262 "carrying the valve 256 ,along on the Ways 263, untila flange 269 on the gate 270 of the valve comes into engagement with l the stop or trip 261, whereby this gate will a be swung against the tension of a spring 271, froma normally closed position .to an open position, admitting air to the controller ofthe actuator 203. When this occurs, as menting the carriage 262 to be returne normal position, by a s ring'272. When the in my herein mentioned patent.

valve 256 moves-away" mm the stop 261, the s ring 271:-will automatically close the gate 270 thereof, permitting the actuator 203 to return to a normal condition. The stop 261 is adjustable so as to vary the extent of travel of the carriage 262 before the valve 256 is opened, and thus vary the period of driving connection tothe platen, whereby the number of line-spaces which the platen is rotated, may be varied. V i h v To adjustthe stop or trip 261, it is in the form of a nut having a screw-threaded engagement with a rod 273 on which it. is mounted. The rod 273 is provided with a knurled handle 274 and the stop 261 is also knurled, so that they may be rotated relatively to each other, whereby the position of 0 w the stop 261 along the rod 273'may be va- 'ried. It will thus be evident that the nearer the stop 261 isto the starting point inthe travel of the valve 256, the sooner the drive to the platen willbe interrupted. In addition to rotating theplaten to are move a completed work-sheet therefrom, the mechanism just described also rotates the platen to position anew clean work-sheet on the platen, so as to brin the point where it is desired to have the rst typewriting in register with the printing'point of the typewriter. Before this new sheet, however, can be set to proper position on the platen, it must ,be supplied to the platen. F or, this purpose, thereis provided automatic worksheet feeding mechanism,which is described- .The blank work-sheets are deposited in a. stack in an open-faced rece tacle275'from which they are automatical y taken, one at atime, by a sheet lifter 283 and dropped into a chute 320 whence they are fed to the printing line as described in my herein mena tion'ed, patent. 1 a

the master card in place isoppositeto the i apertures in the tracker 41. As the master sheet 42 is fed past. its tracker 40, it brings a perforation mto register with a corre- The l v sponding aperture inthe tracker 40, so as to enable. a carriage-return movement. This is to insure the-carriage being at the end of its return movement in a posltionto receive a. new Work-sheet from the sheet-feeding mechanism.

When the carriage-return mechanism \i comes into play it automatically raises the gear 64 out of mesh with the gear 63 through the intermediary of the bar 116, the link 118 and the arm 120' (Figs.

1 and 4), so that pneumatic actuator 203 not only interrupts the drive to the shaft 228 but also permits the feeding mechanism of the master sheet .42 to come once more into action thereby feeding-the perforation which was in register. with their corresponding aperture, to

thedrive to the master sheet is silenced.

When, however, the carriage reaches the end of its return movement, a valve lS"al1t0- matically opened, so as toexclte to action the pneumatic actuator 203',to efl'ect anKinterruption of the drive for the carriagereturn mechanism. This will also e'fl'ect a rotation of the platen so as to remove the work-sheet already on the platen, and the other corresponding ,to the pickin up of a fresh sheet of paper by the sheet lfter 283. The first of these' perforations excites the actuator242 to action, so that it thrusts for- Wardly the plunger 243 to rock the lever 240, which actuatesthe clutch-shifter 236 against the tension of the spring 237, to connect the shaft 228 in driven relation with the continuously-rotating sprocket 232. -The shaft 228 on being driven, rotates, through the connecting gearing, the platen -7 any predetermined amount, so as to remove, or at least partially remove, the completely written work-sheet from the platen, to deposit it in the basket or receptacle in front ofthe typewriter. The extent of this rotation 'is deter-- mined by the distance traveled by the valve 256' before it'comes into engagement with the stop or trip 261, which has been previously adjusted for a rotation of the platen corresponding to any desired number of line spaces. The opening of the Valve 256 excites the sametact'uatori203 to action, which was excited to action at the end of the carriage return, so that the driving connection sheet, which was also interrupted at the starting of the platen into rotation, will be once more completed. 7

As stated above, the feed to the master sheet is interrupted while the platen is bein rotated through the rotation of the sha t 228. Hence, the perforation which caused the collapse of the bellows 242, stops in register with its aperture and remains there until the rotation of the platen has been stopped by the actuation of the valve 270.

When these acts have been accomplished and the rotation of the shaft 228 ceases, the

'to the feeding mechanism for the masterpass by the same. I

As the master sheet feeds along, 'it.brings a second platen-rotating perforation into register with its aperture, so that the shaft- :228 is once more rotated to finish the discharge of the previously ,wrltten work-sheet if it has not already been entirely fedfrom the platen, and advance the new work-sheet around the platen 7, to bring the desired line to be written on to the printing point. The valve256 once more silences the drive to the platen 7 and enables the further feediniof the master sheet 42.

change may be made from the master sheet to the master card, and/vice versa, at any point in the writing of the letter. To accomplish these objects, it is merely necessaryto place the control change perforations at the proper points. 4

Variations may be resorted to within thescope ofthe invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without, others. -Having thus described my invention, I

claim:

1. The combination with a laten, of a train of driving connections or rotating saidplaten, having a'norma'lly silent element therein, a source of power, aeclutch connecting said element in driven relation with said source of power, a shifter for said clutch, a spring normally holding said clutch.

open, and an automatic actuator for operating said shifter to close said clutch.

2. The combination with a platen, of a train of driving connections for rotating said platen, having a normally silent element therein, a' source of power, aclutch connecting said silent element in driven relation with said source of power to actuate said train ofdriving connections,said clutch being normally open, and a pneumatic actuator for closing said clutch.

3. The combination with a platen, of a source of power, a normally interrupted train of driving connections extending between said source of power and said platen, means for completing said train of driving connections to enable said platen to be rotated by said source of power, and means for interrupting said train of driving connections Ill I means at t e endof a redetermined trave i (I controlling I. laten by an dr1 ing said train of connections'after a said rplaten a master control set for complating said train of driving connections to enable the rotation of said platen by said.

source ofpower, and automatic means for interrupting said train of driving connecll tions it a predetermined rotation of said platen. I p

6. The combination with a laten, of a line-space-mechanism for said p aten, a master control set .for governing the action of I. said line-space" mechanism, and additional means for rotating said platen independently or said line-space mechanism, also govelned from said master control'set.

7. The combination with a platen, of driv- Il ingmean for rotating said platen, controlling means for governing the rotation of said platen having a traveling movement accord ant with the desired rotation of said platen, and a tri for operating, said controllin ing movement thereo said trip being ad-' justable to vary the traveling movement of said controlling meansandi hence the rotary movement of said platen. I 8. The combination with a platen, of driving means for rotating said platen, controlling means for governing the extent of rotation of said platen by said driving means, traversing mechanism for said controlling means actuated from said driving means to cause a len hwise travelin movement of said contro ingmeans coordinate with the desired rotation of said platen, and means located in the line-of travel for tri ping said. meansat, the end of t a desired rotation 0 said platen;

9. The combination {with a platen, of driving means for said platen, controlling means for gove the extent of drive of said,

means, said controlmeans having a ongitud nal travel conate with the desired rotation of said platen, and means for varying the extent of travel of said controlling means to correll spend with the desired'extent'of rotation of said platen. t a a 10. The combin tion with] a platen, of

driving means for said platen, automatic mechanism for starting said'driving means ,0 into actiomand automatici controlling means for interruptingsaid drivmgmeans after a predetermined rotation ofs'ald platen.

driving ncans tor said platen, controlling I means for governing the extent of rotation of actuating" mechanism for said shifter, concontro said driving connection being norma y invterrupted, means for completing said drivsaid traveling element, said swing Y determined travel of said valve. '11. The combination with a 'platen of J said platen said driving means, a screw I "driven by skid driv' a member ;o arriedbyvsaid contro mg means engaging screw at the initiation ofa action l j of said platen, to traverse said" controlling means, and tripping means brought into play after a predetermined trav Rmovement of said controlling means to em. 1c the dis-- connection by said contro means of said driving means from active, relation with said platen. a a p -12 The'combination with a platen, of a driving connection for said platen, a clutch for. bringing'said driving connection into effective action, a shifter for said clutch,

trolling means for governing the period of activit :Qfifihid actuatin 'mechamsm, said v means including a traveling element, a screw driven by said driving connection for traversing said traveling element, a member carried by said travelin element, brought into engagement with screw at the connection of said clutch, and a trip for,

actuating said controllin meansafter a pre--. determined travel of sai traveling element. I 13. The combination with a platen, of a driving connection for rotating said laten,

ing connection, controlling means for governing the periodof. activity of said driving connection, said controlli means including a' travelm element, a swinging frame for said trave ing element, a screw traversing frame bringing said screw and said traveling element 1nt0 c06perative relation, and a trip for operating said traveling element after a predetermined movement corresponding to a desiredflrotaticn of said platen.

14 The combination with a platen, of driving mechanism for said platen, a pneumatic actuator for controlling the f activity of said driving mechanism, a valve .for controlling said pneumatic actuator, a

carriage for said valve, traversing means for said carriage, and a trip-for openingsaid valve after a predetermined movement. of said carriage and said valve.

' 15. The combination with a platen, of driving means for rotating said laten, a pneumatic actuator for controllingt eperiod of operation of said driving means, a valve for controlling said pneumatic actuator, a screw driven by said driving means, mechamsm for swinging said valve into cooperative relation with 'saidscrew,whereby said valve may be traversed by said screw, and a trip for opemng said valve toexcite. said pneumatic actuator to operation after a prol6 Th combination with a data, of driving means for rotating said p ten, con

4 tantl means for r concomicompletmg said driving means to enab e the rotation of said platen and connecting said controlling means in travelin relation with said traversing means, an means operated by said controlling means for concomitantly interrupting said driving means and enablmg the return of said controllin meansto its normal position.

17. he combination with a platen of driving means for said platen, controlling means for governing the extent of rotation tation of said platen, traversing said controlling means, a lever of said platen by said driving means, said controlling means having a traveling element, means for traversing sa1d element, and

means for returning said traveling element to its normal position after it has completed its function. a

18. The combination with a platen, of an axle for said platen, a sprocket on said axle, a chain for driving said sprocket, a sprocket lever to rock the same, and means for disa predetermined rotation of said platen.

21. The combination with a platen, of a normally interrupted train of gearing to said platemshiftlng means for completing said train of gearing, including a lever, an actuator for rockingsaid lever, a plunger eper ated by said actuator and engaging said lefor driving said chain, a clutch for enabling the drive of said last-mentioned sprocket, a shifter for said clutch, a lever for actuating said shifter, and an actuator for manipulating said lever.

19. The combination with a platen, of a normally interrupted train of gearing to said platen, shifting means for completing said train of gearing, including a lever, an actuator for operating said lever, and a plunger 7 operated by said actuator and engaging said lever torock the same.

20. The combination with a platen, of a a normally interrupted train of gearing to said platen, shifting means for completing said train of gearing, including a lever, an actuatorforoperating said lever, a plunger. operated by said actuator and engaging said ver to shift the same, and an' actuator brought into pla after 'a predetermined rotation of said p aten for disen agin said plunger from said lever to enab e the mter ruption of said train of gearing.

22. The combination with a platen, of

driving means forsaid platen, a valve con-v trolling the actlon of sa1d driving means, traversing means for sa1d valve, means dism an and a spring for returning said valve to its normal position.

23. The comblnation wlth a platen, of pneumatlcally actuated line-spacing means connecting said valve from said traversing for said platen, and pneumatically controlled drivi means for rotating said platen.

24. he combination with a laten, of drivin means for rotating said p aten, and centre ing means for said driving'means located at a point distant from said platen for determining the extent of rotation of said platen, sa1d controlling means includin a longitudinal traveling element and a trip for the same at the end of travel thereof, thereby determining the extent of rotation of said platen.

LYMAN R. ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

Enrrn BQLIBBEY, Carmina A. NEWELL.

5 engaging said plunger from sa1d lever after 1 

